Born from the struggling return of the industry post-lockdown, this free class/lab series is starting up again:

https://www.lightscapelcp.com/events/open-source-season-2-episode-1

I helped my partner cast for a play she is directing with friends for fun.

In speaking with her, her actors, and other stage and screen producers, there really isn't any software tool to help with this. However, they are involved with smaller productions: local stage or indie productions.

Doing a google search, I am finding Yamdu being the closest tool that I am talking about, but it doesn't appear to help with the casting process specifically – interfacing with backstage, posting a project, searching for talent, etc.

does this software exist? what does the industry do for larger casting companies or casting directors whose role is for casting for many projects at once over the year?

I know 2024 has been brutal for everyone, but I'm wondering how people in development are feeling...if you've sold things, if you've pivoted strategies, if you think things will pick up in the new year, etc? I've been finding it hard to keep the mindset of survive til 25, especially when the big boss man refuses to even acknowledge the state of the industry. I assume most of us are in the same boat, but I guess it's nice to get reassurance.

I started in network TV way back in the day, where TV was a practically a factory. The average time between the start of a script to the final delivery of the episode was around 6-8 weeks. Writers would be writing episode 5 of a season while post was delivering episode 2. Obviously a generalization, timetables were different for every show.

But today with 10 episode seasons, it seems the writers write everything before shooting and post doesn't begin until the final episodes wraps. Again, a generalization, but I look at delivery dates and they all seem to be months before we ever air the first episode.

Long story short I want to work on the business side of the film industry. I’m 34 years old, 10 years of military experience, and 2 years of working in a trauma 1 level center as a respiratory therapist. I understand that the field I chose (RT) isn’t my long term play but I’ve always wanted to work in the film industry in some capacity.

I’ve been looking into going to school to earn a business degree and eventually go get an MBA to help put myself in other leadership roles. After reading comments about how some executives start as assistants and work their way up how can I start my career in the film industry?

Any advice would greatly appreciated.

I’m from the opposite coast (NYC), but have similarly been experiencing an existential crisis in my 13th year in film/TV/video production.

My most recent F/T position was eliminated at the end of February, and I’ve had the damndest time finding stability after 20+ interviews in 2024.

I began dabbling with IT/Engineering within the context of live event/streaming production during my last position, but not enough to qualify me for such positions. Given the uncertain future of film & TV going into 2025, I’ve been considering pivoting to another field, with which I could translate as much of my experience.

I’ve been suggested by several colleagues to pursue certifications in CompTIA+ and Cybersecurity in an attempt to pursue a new life in IT. Never would’ve considered before 2024, but the need to survive and pivot are strong right now.

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s pivoted to other things in these trying times, thanks

I'm gathering options for a happy hour type joint and wondering if any of y'all know any good bars that could fit around 150-200 people comfortably. Budget is around 10k but ideally less of course. Nothing too divey so our producers don't complain. Let me know if you got any cool places! Thanks folks :)

I’m planning to shoot a proof-of-concept for my pilot and I need a high school location (hallway and classroom, or cafeteria, or library). I’ve been looking at some standing sets, but they seem pretty pricey and not very authentic-looking. Has anyone had experience booking an actual high school somewhere in the LA area? I would probably shoot over a weekend, but would it be any cheaper than standing sets? Just looking for the most efficient solution and hoping someone can pass on some wisdom! Thanks!

EDIT: A college campus could also work. Does anyone know if including film students in the production (cast and crew) could facilitate getting access to filming on campus?

I’m a story producer with over 10 years of experience, including Emmy winning shows. This year, I’ve had 2 job offers that I accepted and was ghosted when LPs found someone cheaper, and this was after I was offered a reduced rate, as a product of the time.

Another prod co that I did a pilot for emailed me, wanting to hold a zoom to talk about another project coming down their pipeline. I was super excited. I showed up in the zoom and the execs were taken back; I have the same name as another producer and well, their coordinator set the meeting up with me… instead of him. They ask me “why the hell am I on this zoom,” and I explained the situation. They then close the zoom and that’s it.

This year is going to break me.

Set lighting pros of Reddit- has anyone had experience converting a new Honda 7000 with 60a bates?

Specifically, does anyone have insight into patching directly a 50a fuse to the inverter?

Has anyone had luck with local temp agencies while they wait for production to return? My 2 usual agencies (Robert Half and AppleOne) have been dropping the ball lately.

i got invited to the premiere of a large upcoming film because my friend is in it (supporting role). i’m autistic and i get really nervous for situations where i don’t know what to expect and how things will go down. i know there will be a showing of the film and then the after party. can anyone tell me a play by play of how i can expect things to go, as specific as possible ? will i be able to hang out with my friend during it or will she be seated somewhere else? should i be mingling just like it’s a normal party? what’s the etiquette? can i be on my phone/take pictures or is that not allowed? how should i dress? how late can i expect the party to go? i’m not in the industry so no desire to network, just to have a good time!

I live in central USA and have a religious horror screen play I’m proud of. I have NO friend/family connections to the film industry and based on where I live, have no real chance to happen by anyone big. There is a film director/producer who is going to speak at a religious conference I am working who I think could be interested in my screen play. Would it be horribly out of line if I approached him and tried to pitch my script? How would something like that be received?

I want to say I have heard the usual " Things will start picking up after the strikes, things will start picking up in the fall, late fall start of 2025...." I have been trying to transition from Dailies Assistant to AE but have not succeeded.I recently completed an AE training through the Handy Foundation. Most of my Dailies tasks are AE tasks but without the pay and title( Work at a third-party distributor Dailies House) I have reached out to many AE colleagues and gone to many events. I have even cold-emailed and kept up with networks/companies to check in but nothing. I am aware that the industry is going through changes and limiting projects. I just feels like I have exhausted every option atm.

Also for anyone who wants to connect or check out my stuff . I am Jbrizzle92 on all social media

Hi! I was wondering if anyone has applied to the UTA general agent training program for this summer and has heard back yet? Is there anything I should do if I have not heard back yet?

So I recently moved out to LA, in pursuit of breaking into production work. It's a bit of a long story, but I’ll condense as much as I can. My situation is I have family out here that's already in the entertainment industry; my cousin has claimed that they have an “in” for a very well known gameshow, and can get me a job as a PA. I thought this was the best news ever. I came out here in August and I'm currently working as an usher for a small theater venue. My cousin told me the summertime is typically the off season for a lot of production projects and that things typically tend to pick up around September. Didn’t think anything of it because I’m not very familiar with how things work out here. September rolled around and I haven’t heard anything for almost the first 2 weeks. I was finally told that the game show is in “pre production” so once that stage is finished, they should be gearing up and ready to begin. I heard nothing for the rest of September. 

Almost a week into October, I was told that my cousin gave my email and phone number to the main producer and to look out for their call. At first I was confused because I thought there was gonna be a little more of a formality with it (interview, zoom, etc.) but I guess as long as they have my contact info that “should” be a good sign. We’re now at the end of October, still no phone call or email, I can see that the game show already started premiering its newest season now, so it's got me kind of suspicious about everything. Feeling down on my luck, I asked my cousin for an update and what I should expect as far as a phone call. They told me it's all about timing, and that I just need to dig my heels in and be ready for anything they call me for; that they could call me at 7am saying they need someone in by 9. 

Now unless my understanding of a PA is completely outdated or misconstrued. This doesn’t exactly sound like I would be called in to do PA work and more of a day laborer/freelance worker. Completely different to what was told of me when my cousin said they could land me an actual job as a PA. But that's why I’m posting this here because I’m not the most familiar with the entertainment industry. 

Can anyone give some insight to my situation? Am I right to feel suspicious or is this typically how it works in production? I gave up everything to come out here on the word that my cousin could make this happen and I feel like I’m not getting the complete truth.

I’m in the process of securing insurance for a production and would like some guidance/input from those who have more experience with SAG and short term production insurance - bonus points if you’ve produced a short under the SPA agreement.

Since this is my first time securing insurance for a production, especially one trying to be a SAG one, I want to make sure I’m purchasing the correct coverage since a mistake would be a very costly one.

From what I read in the documents received, apart from Workers Compensation, this is the only insurance requirement:

“The Producer shall obtain and keep in force during the term of employment of the performer a policy of comprehensive public liability insurance insuring the performer against any liability arising out of the performance by the performer in the course and scope of his employment under this collective bargaining agreement, under the direction and control of the Producer. Such insurance shall be in the amount of not less than $1,000,000 for injury to or death of one person in any one accident or occurrence and in an amount not less than $2,000,000 for injury to or death of more than one person in any one accident or occurrence. Such insurance shall further insure performer against liability for property damage of at least $250,000.”

I reached out to several different insurance companies and was quoted between $1,900 and $2,900 with policies including different coverages that I can’t be sure I need or don’t need, since I’m not familiar with this aspect of producing.

The more expensive quotes included inland marine and performer travel insurance as extras, while others only had the general liability and workers comp (which I think are the only 2 I need?)

This production is extremely small and simple: shot on an iPhone, in my own apartment using equipment and lighting rigs I own already. It’s a total of 3 actors and 1 crew for a min of 2 - max of 4 days of shooting. Everyone involved is local to LA.

If anyone could give some advice or has gone through the process with the SPA, I’d really really appreciate some guidance so I get the right coverage.

Thanks!

ETA: The SPA grants union eligibility which is the reason for using this contract. I’m aware other contracts have less costly requirements but they don’t provide the union eligibility.

Hello,

I run a small fashion communication agency, producing six editorial still photoshoots per year for magazines or client lookbooks. Budgets are typically under $20k, and the shoots are usually one-day events on location. While it’s not a big profit maker, it’s a valuable and enjoyable service for my clients.

Currently, I carry workers' comp through the CA state fund and general liability from an online broker for about $1,200 per year total. This setup works well for most locations, especially houses where the model can change (with permits in place). However, for shoots in natural locations, we need a motorhome, and FilmLA requires auto insurance due to the vehicle.

One complicating factor is that I use my personal car (which isn’t registered under my business), so my business doesn’t have dedicated auto insurance. I’ve reached out to brokers recommended by FilmLA, but the quotes vary widely. Entertainment package options cost between $2,500-$4,500 per year for general liability + auto insurance, with the auto portion alone ranging from $350-$750.

Unfortunately, my current broker doesn’t offer auto insurance in California, and none of the brokers I’ve contacted are willing to offer an auto-only policy.

Has anyone encountered a similar situation? Any recommendations for a company that might provide just the auto liability? Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks for reading and any help you can offer!

i remember the 08 crash we saw a ton of companies closing, like cimarron group , places that you never thought would close down. I'm hearing everyone is slow but yet to hear of many bigger or more known studios closing down like that crash....

Hello Los Angeles! I need to store my car for a while somewhere safe for not too much money. I'm asking here because I know there's a lot of people on here in the film industry that often store things away for a while as they travel for work. I see a lot of places on Craigslist, but I'm not sure about how safe they are. Does anyone on this feed in LA have a spot they can recommend? Thank you so much!

Edit: I'll be out of town for 6 months.

I know I am far from alone in this, but everything feels really bad out here. For context, I am an actor; I graduated from college in 2017, had a few okay years before COVID, and then it has been strikes and now this.

It would be really wonderful to get to even have the chance at a possible career as a working actor in this industry. For the first time ever, I find myself having a hard time trying to keep my momentum going. In the past I would have re-edited my reel, worked on writing and shooting something with friends, got new headshots, gone to a new acting class, etc. And maybe it's because I have done all of those things or maybe it's because I just need to take a break but, damn. I feel very lucky to have the training I do, and I sing professionally all around the city for holidays, so it's about to be busy in that way.

But the film and TV world feels so desolate and depressing, and one out of every twenty of my friends is actually working. To the more adult folks in this group, what do we do? When do we move? Is there somewhere that film is actually happening? I hear about New Mexico and Atlanta, is that real and sustainable? I'm going to be 30 next year and I just feel like this past decade has been entirely out of my control.

I'm sure I sound whiny to some folks, so I'm sorry if so. I've just worked so hard and it would be really magical to get even the chance to make that hard work pay off.

Thanks in advance <3

This is a weird one but thought this would be a good place to ask.

I’m a video editor that works from home (primarily in digital nowadays because not much industry work) and have been thinking of taking acting classes to 1) socialize and 2) keep my social skills up since I work alone for most of the day.

I took acting towards my film degree to avoid lab fees, so not completely new to acting but also don’t have an end goal of being an actor. Any recommendations for classes I would fit in?

I’m based in Beverly Hills so closer the better, but would travel for the right class.

As I shop an IP to potential partners, what I have been seeing and hearing are not matching up. I'm wondering if everyone is stuck in delusions of grandeur or have just given up on critical thought.

I won't go into philosophical soliloquies, but I will point out the elephant in the room some people don't see. And please don't angry with me, I am only connecting dots.

First, Gavin Newsom funding tax incentives in the tune of $750m is a nothing burger. You are probably getting gaslit here. This may never pass legislation, but either way nothing will happen before the election. So,.... What I see here is "Vote for Dems, NOT Reps". That's all I see here.

Screwsom Newsom could have proposed this incentive during the union strikes, it would have thrown a very heavy rock onto the negotiating table. But that would have been construed as Socialist or Communist. Can't do that. Even The Machete tried to get Screwsom on the phone to do something and he was absent the whole time. That clown might be trying to stuff ballot boxes here. At least, I will prove that this is a Hegelian dialectic being played upon you.

Second, I point to the "Production Graveyard" story at THR. In that article, it tries to explain how or why production has ceased in Los Angeles. The voices they heard from the trenches couldn't be more clear. The producers and key crew are saying the high cost of living, high-cost labor, the overbearing permitting process, CA gas prices, traffic, has all ruined LA production... In other words, they are running from problems created by Gov't (ie Screwsom). 

So then comes in the bloated and untalented gaslighter at SAG, Crabtree-Ireland. He responds to these claims with communist gobbledygook. He says those claims from producers and crew are a "false narrative", and he counter-claims that these crew members and producers are just "manipulating" and trying to "threatening the American Workforce/Jobs". Can you believe this s***? This is pure communist gaslighting. No one can be this dumb to fall for any of this. By the way, SAG union is still on strike (somewhere) as I write this! smh

Third and finally, I now point you to the David Graves video up this weekend. David is an IATSE member and expert in this industry, and he does a fantastic job in succinctly outlining what has happened to this industry, and he also offers a very reasonable prognosis.

https://youtu.be/Fqr9j_u2DE4?si=65ePo1dkc8u-jyx_

IRL, I'm being told not to bother making a movie for under $2m. The IP I have does not need $2m. I don't want to spend $2m, it's silly to go top heavy on so-called "name talent" that the audience hates or never heard of.  I just don't agree with this crazy industry-wide standard that films produced for between $500k-$2m have no place at the table. We all know where the bulk of that money goes.

So nowadays, we produce our movies based on financial aid and not story. And if you don't shoot in LA, you are deemed a manipulator. This whole experience has me feeling Hollywood has become one big laundering scheme.

Hey everyone,

I’m reaching out to this community with an idea for a project that’s been on my mind for a while. Like many of you, I was laid off from my role over a year ago (Disney Animation), and it’s been a challenging road since. Sustainable work has felt almost impossible to find since a lot of animation has been outsourced out of the country. I’m now leaning more heavily on photography, and other random things, to try to make ends meet. And we all know how well the photography industry is doing…

With the time I have these days, I was thinking of starting a documentary photography project to capture the experiences of people in LA’s film industry who’ve been affected by recent layoffs, outsourcing, or career shifts. My goal is to create genuine portraits and profiles that tell our stories honestly and bring awareness to the realities we’re facing.

I know we just heard some hopeful news from Newsom, but realistically, who knows how and when any of those changes might impact us directly. In the meantime, I’m hoping to connect with people willing to share their story and be photographed. The final profiles would be published on my website and my Substack, with the aim of raising visibility for the challenges affecting LA’s creative community.

If this sounds like something you’d be open to, or if you know someone who might be interested, or if you just have questions or concerns, please reach out. I’d love to connect, and I’d be honored to help share your story. I have never attempted to do anything of this scope in photography, so please be gentle :)

I wrote some more about this project on the website below, where you can also find links to my website, portfolio and Substack to give you an idea of my experience and what I’ve been doing recently.

https://www.afonso.me/stories-of-resilience/

Thank you for considering this, and yeah, even if this project doesn’t go anywhere, I hope we all have a better 2025 :)